Which Mugabe-era politicians stayed in cabinet, but changed roles?

Kembo Mohadi and Sithembiso Nyoni both made a switch from one government position to another. Mohadi was moved from state security to defence, security and war veterans. Small and medium enterprises minister Sithembiso Nyoni was moved to women and youth affairs.

Simbarashe Mumbengegwi moved from acting Foreign Affairs Minister to Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

How many army members are now part of Zimbabwe’s cabinet?

Major General Sibusiso Moyo is now Foreign Affairs Minister

Air Marshall Perrance Shiri is head of Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement

Long term Mnangagwa allies July Moyo, Patrick Chinamasa and Simon Moyo also get high-level cabinet positions

What has the reaction been like to the new Zimbabwean government?

Largely negative. Certainly from Zimbabwe’s media personnel and political commentators. Many see this as a ‘recycling’ of the politicians who facilitated Mugabe’s madness, and had failed to act when the country previously needed them:

Trevor Ncube, Zimbabwean Media Mogul:

“President Mnangagwa’s Cabinet is very disappointing. Largely the same people that caused this crisis have been recycled. The honey moon comes to an end and reality dawns. His concern seems to have been rewarding those who brought him to power and Zanu-PF unity.”

BBC’s Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding

“It’s not the radical break with the past that some had hoped for. Some of Mr Mugabe’s old allies have been removed, but other controversial and long-serving ministers are back in key jobs. Some call that stability. Others, a missed opportunity.”

“Up until now, we had given the putsch the benefit of the doubt. We did so in the genuine, perhaps naive view that the country could actually move forward. We craved change, peace & stability in our country. How wrong we were.”

Political Analyst Tendai Biti:

“Up until now, we had given the putsch the benefit of the doubt. We did so in the genuine, perhaps naive view that the country could actually move forward. We craved change, peace & stability in our country. How wrong we were.”

So, it’s bitter disappointment for many of Zimbabwe’s citizens. It seems like many are ready to label the Mnangagwa a false dawn before the sun has even risen. Let’s just hope an Mnangagwa-led cabinet has more backbone than one lead by Mugabe.